Over cladding existing frames when installing FD30s door sets

[Suttonfire]

Hi All,

Can anyone advise on whether it is generally considered to be acceptable to overcladd an existing frame when installing a replacement FD30s flat entrance door?

Would you consider it to be acceptable if it visually appears to be comparable to the standard of a replacement frame?

My understanding Is that it could not be certified as an FD30s door set unless a fully certified replacement door set is installed?

Thanks

[Suttonfire]

My feeling is that overcladding the frames will represent the door sets becoming 'upgraded FD30s' rather than replacement/certified FD30s.

In view of this I would be inclined to approach it in accordance with the guidance on fire doors set out in the purpose built flats guide (paragraph 62.23). I would be interested to hear views.

[Tom Sutton]

Not strictly true if you purchase a fire door blank with a global fire resistance report and construct the FD in accordance with that report I believe it would be acceptable to AD B.

[Fishy]

Bit confused as to what is meant by "over cladding"?  If you mean adding timber to increase the dimensions of the existing frame and enhance fire resistance, then that might be quite difficult to detail correctly (depends upon precisely where the additional timber would be placed & how it would be fixed).  If you mean cladding with steel, vinyl or PVC then that's pretty much a no-no.

[Auntie LIn]

I think I'm with Fishy - confused or what?   An awful lot of existing fire doors are fitted into frames which are more substantial than those required by more modern manufacturing techniques.   Are you thinking of overcladdding with, for example steel/aluminium/formica??